Richard Leroy Lathrop

Richard LeRoy Lathrop, 84 of Plano, Texas passed away peacefully on February 19, 2021.

Richard was born in Oklahoma City on August 2, 1936 to the late Clyde and Nellie Lathrop. Richard grew up in Oklahoma City where he graduated from Capitol Hill High School in 1954. He served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1962, a veteran of the Korean war. He attended the FAA Academy and worked as an Air Traffic Control Specialist. Later moving and settling in the north Dallas area, Richard earned a degree in Drafting and Design Technology from Eastfield College. He worked many years at American Coldset Corporation before working on the Super Conducting Super Collider. He then worked at International Isotopes before semi-retiring in 1999.

Richard had a love of flying. He held a commercial pilot certificate for single & multi-engine and his instrument rating. He was a certified flight instructor for both single and multi-engine. He was also an Instrument Ground Gold Seal instructor. He was a member of the Commemorative Air Force where he spent time flying in the B52 Bomber. Many weekends were spent at the airport watching planes take off and land or at an airshow. He never missed an opportunity to fly friends and family, many for their first time in a small plane. He loved sharing his knowledge of planes and flying.

Richard was also known for his chocolate chip cookies. No one made chocolate chip cookies like he did. Over the years, stories were told of getting the treasured cookies and hiding them so they would not have to share. His daughters and grandkids looked forward to spending time in the kitchen with him waiting for those cookies. When asked why his cookies were so good, he said with a smile “it’s a secret”. We are convinced that his youngest grandkid, Lainey, knows the secret but will not share.

Richard enjoyed traveling and he and Kay took many trips. Cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean to seeing the sights in London, Scotland and abroad, he enjoyed it all. Even the more local trips to New England and Florida were a highlight of their vacation adventures.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Linda Kay Lathrop; his daughter, Lori and her husband Rick Faries of Viera, Florida; his daughter, Jeanne and her husband Jeff Sprabary of Sanger, Texas; Grandchildren Shelby Scott, Jacob Faries, Ty Scott, Lainey Scott and Great Grandson Kasen Alexander Hill. He is also survived by his brother Wayne Lathrop and wife Virginia; Steve Lathrop and wife Glenna; as well as his nieces and nephews.  His sister, Nelda Trease precedes him in death.

Richard and Kay are charter members of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas where a memorial service to celebrate Richard’s life will be held on Saturday, February 27 th at 2:00 pm.